Thor – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Thor

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2011

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The Norse god learns humility the hard way in this Shakespearean superhero origin story with hammers, family drama, and a surprising amount of heart.

77%

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Thor

movie

PG-13, 2011

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The Norse god learns humility the hard way in this Shakespearean superhero origin story with hammers, family drama, and a surprising amount of heart.

77%

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Screenwise Verdict

Thor is a solid, entertaining superhero origin story that punches above its weight thanks to Kenneth Branagh's direction and Chris Hemsworth's charisma. The blend of Norse mythology, family drama, and fish-out-of-water comedy works surprisingly well, and the central lesson—that true heroism requires humility and sacrifice—is clear without being preachy.

The action is loud and sustained, so it's not for younger or sensitive kids, but for tweens and teens ready for PG-13 fare, it's a strong pick. The Loki-Thor dynamic is compelling, and the film sets up one of the MCU's most enduring relationships. It's aged reasonably well (the Earth scenes feel a bit dated, but Asgard still looks great), and it's still an entertaining watch for families with older kids.

Not the best MCU film, but far from the worst—it's a worthy entry that balances spectacle with character growth.

Age Fit

Best for confident 12-year-olds and up, though some mature 10-11-year-olds who've handled other MCU films will be fine. The violence is fantasy-based and not gory, but it's sustained and intense. Teens will appreciate the character growth and humor most.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Thor's character arc from arrogant warrior to humble hero offers solid lessons about responsibility, humility, and what it means to be worthy. The film models friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. Some violence and combat sequences are intense but not gratuitous, and the tone stays relatively light with humor throughout. Brief romantic elements are chaste. The emotional beats around family conflict (Odin, Loki) are handled with appropriate weight for teens.

Imaginative

The blend of Norse mythology with sci-fi (Asgard as an advanced alien civilization) is creative and visually stunning. The Bifrost, the Nine Realms, and the cosmic scope invite wonder. Kenneth Branagh's direction brings Shakespearean gravitas to superhero storytelling, which is distinctive. However, it's still within the MCU formula—origin story beats are predictable, and the Earth-bound fish-out-of-water sequences lean on familiar tropes.

Safe

PG-13 for 'sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence'—expect fantasy combat, destruction, and the Destroyer automaton burning through a town. No gore, but people are blasted and thrown. Language is mild (a few profanities, nothing harsh). Brief innuendo and a shirtless Thor scene. No surprise deaths that would traumatize, though Loki's fall is emotionally heavy. The action is sustained and loud, which could overwhelm sensitive younger kids, but it's standard superhero fare without shocking content.

Enriching

The film explores themes of worthiness, humility, and leadership—Thor must earn back his power by proving he's changed. The father-son and brother dynamics (Odin, Thor, Loki) offer discussion points about family expectations, jealousy, and identity. It's entertaining blockbuster fare that doesn't overstay its welcome, with enough character growth to feel meaningful. However, it's not particularly deep—the ethical questions are straightforward, and the Earth subplot is thin. Still, it's a solid entry point for conversations about power and responsibility.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Thor's arc from arrogant jerk to worthy hero is genuinely satisfying and offers great lessons about humility, responsibility, and earning respect
The fish-out-of-water humor (Thor smashing coffee cups, demanding horses in pet stores) is genuinely funny and lightens the tone
Visually stunning—Asgard's golden halls and the Bifrost are gorgeous, and the blend of Norse mythology with sci-fi is creative
Strong family dynamics and the Thor-Loki-Odin triangle provide emotional weight and discussion fodder about sibling rivalry and parental expectations
Kenneth Branagh brings a Shakespearean gravitas that elevates it above typical superhero fare

⚠

What to Watch For

Sustained fantasy violence—the Destroyer automaton burns through a town, and battle sequences in Asgard and on Earth are intense and loud
Loki's fall at the end is emotionally heavy and could upset sensitive kids (though he survives, as we all know)
Brief innuendo and a shirtless Thor scene—nothing explicit but worth noting
The pacing drags a bit in the middle Earth section, and younger kids might find the Asgard politics confusing

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Odin stripped Thor of his powers? Was it the right move, or too harsh?"
"What does it mean to be 'worthy' of the hammer? What qualities do you think matter most?"
"How do you think Loki felt growing up in Thor's shadow? Can you understand why he made the choices he did?"
"If you had Thor's powers, what would you do with them? How would you make sure you didn't abuse them?"

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